Why Kerala is great for a family holiday

When it comes to an easy family getaway, Kerala’s got all the right ingredients. Beautiful vistas that are a mix of lazy, meandering backwaters, clean beaches and lush forests, delicious food, colourful festivals and great wildlife-spotting opportunities to boot! Here’s why your next family holiday should be in God’s own country.

Kerala’s unique, delicious flavours sing a siren song, tempting you to dig in. That it’s a haven for lovers of seafood is no surprise, but there’s plenty of variety for vegetarians and meat-eaters, too. You can’t leave Kerala without trying appams with stew, fried karimeen (pearl-spot fish), and Malabari biryani.

Take the troop to the water and enjoy family time together as you sail down the backwaters on a kettuvallam (traditional houseboat). It’s a great way to get some together-time, and also provides plenty of opportunity for rest and relaxation.

For its charming locals

Immerse yourself in an honest-to-goodness Kerala experience by booking your family into a homestay for a few nights. There are great options in all parts of the state, from the misty hills to the verdant coastline.

You can’t go wrong with a safari holiday, and Kerala has plenty of options for those! Choose from any of the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state, or, for something a bit different, go on a boat safari in Periyar!

There’s always a celebration going on somewhere in Kerala! The star of the show is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, which is typically held around the middle of August, but another tradition that’s fascinating and unique is a theyyam performance. Be warned though, this might scare young tots! Even if there’s not festival scheduled for when you’re travelling, you can always catch a Kathakali or Kalaripayattu showcase.